February 27, 2007

Gold Nuggets: Pyroman!

The Obscure Adventures of Comics' Greatest Generation!

For anyone who's still under the impression that the Golden Age of Comics was a genteel time of Golly-Gee-Whiz wholesomeness, I'll let Pyroman of America's Best Comics #18 (Nedor Comics, 1946) convince you otherwise.

Gaining electro-magnetic powers after a mistaken trip to the electric chair (oops!), research student Dick Martin (not the Laugh-In guy) apparently still had enough faith in the justice system to fight crime as Pyroman.

On a quest to regain the stolen Electrosorber device, Pyroman is all business as he dispatches a gang of costumed thugs...and by "dispatches" I mean horribly and painfully seared by electricity!

(click on the panels for a larger view)

Like I said....ALL-BUSINESS!

One unlucky stiff gets strangled while being electrocuted(click to enlarge), as his crudely-drawn face shows equal parts horror, pain, and stunned disbelief. After the smoke of smoldering, electrocuted flesh clears, Pyroman reassures the uniformed Authority Figure the Electrosorber is now in safe hands...only to suffer a snotty retort from his standard-issue haughty girlfriend.

BONUS!

Gaze upon the stangely doodled-looking facial hair of Rex Topsed, arch enemy of Pyroman (click on his mug for a better look).

"Topsed"? What's that all about?

Ah, you see, "Topsed" read backwards is "Despot", making it clear to Rex that he was "born to rule"! Mwah ha haaaa!